This is always a very special time when students and teachers at YISS have a shortened week and are able to refresh and relax. Students had only a day and a half of school; teachers were working two days. Everyone had off on Wednesday through Friday. It is always a time when I get to catch up with some of my Korean friends from SYME days, read a lot, walk, and just enjoyment some refreshment.
Before getting into the Lunar New Year week activities, I wanted to share with you a poem that I received on Valentine's Day from my friends Douglas and Deborah Goshorn-Stenger. Deborah has written poems fro many years and usually sends one to me. This one arrived through regular old fashioned mail last Friday, the day before Valentine's Day. I thought I would share it with you. Take a look at Deborah's last question. I try to ask that question to myself each day as I go to YISS.
Deborah's Living Love poem!
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Monday was a very busy day at YISS. I was asked to present some gifts to the Chadwick family before they leave for Singapore. The Chadwicks came to YISS when I did and the Dad, especially, has been very involved with volunteering for many projects sponsored by the PTO. When parents, who have been very active at YISS, leave for another assignment, the PTO presents some gifts to them. I was delighted to be the one who was selected to present the gifts to Mr. Chadwick on Monday morning in my office! I was hoping to see Rob and his two boys one more time before they left and it was a great time of saying "Hasta la Vista" to a great family.
GGG presenting a couple special gifts from the PTO
to the Chadwick family. Mrs. Chadwick had to
finish some packing at home.
The Elementary Secretary was taking the pictures and snapped this
one as Rob said, "Are you going to give your usual 'victory' sign in
the picture, Gregg?" I laughed and then said I would refrain, but as
I moved my 'victory' sign away from Conrad's shoulder, Mrs. Yoo
snapped the picture right when my 2 fingers gave Conrad donkey
ears. Rob was laughing! :-)
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Monday was also the day the PTO displayed the students' calendar art projects for its 2015-16 School Calendar. This year there were 88 submissions from Kindergarten through Grade 12. On Monday in the new multipurpose room some teachers, administrators, and parents were asked to come and judge these 88 submissions on the theme: "Seoul, Where I Live!" I was one of those who had this privilege. It is always difficult! Eventually the 88 will be narrowed down to 18-20 pieces that will be used in the 2015-16 School Calendar. Here are some of the pieces that I really liked:
This is a picture of the tables that were set up in the
multipurpose room with the 88 submissions ready for
judging on Monday!
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Tuesday was busy all day for me as I continued to work with Abby Williamson on Quarter Four After School Activities. We should have quite a collection of activities! Now we just need to be able to find locations for each of them. Thanks for your continued prayers as this After School program continues to grow with many exciting activities.
Wednesday began some delightful outings with former SYME students and great Korean friends. They continue to shower me with abundant love and care. Wednesday I was so happy to meet with my dear friend, Ji Sang! He asked me to meet him in Gangnam so that he could take me to lunch at Brick Oven of New York Pizza! Ji Sang loves Buffalo Wings with Ranch Dressing + pizza. It is always very interesting that he loves pizza with cheese on it but will NOT eat cheese alone, especially cheddar cheese. :-) We had such a great time together! Continue to pray for this dear young man as he seeks to serve God with his many gifts.
Ji Sang and GGG at the Brick Oven of New York in Gangnam on Wednesday!
Some of the Buffalo Wings with Ranch Dressing and
a spicy sauce! Ji Sang ate most of these! He LOVES
them! :-)
When our pizza arrived, Ji Sang was very happy!! :-)
Our Trio Pizza: Italian Sausage, Bacon, and Grilled Chicken!!!!
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After lunch and coffee with Ji Sang, I came back to Itaewon and headed to the Grand Hyatt Hotel. This is the hotel where the President of the USA stays when in Seoul. I had won a gift certificate at one of the raffles at a YISS Fun Fest and decided I would use it over Lunar New Year. The certificate allowed me to stay one night in a beautiful room and enjoy a most yummy buffet breakfast in the morning! It was a great evening and morning of rest and refreshment. No food pictures but I did get a picture of their winter lights on the trees outside the main entrance.
The Grand Hyatt Seoul - my home for one night! :-)
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I was scheduled to meet my awesome friend and former SYME student, Jungmin, on Saturday, but he texted me to ask if he could visit me in my apartment on Thursday. His parents had prepared some delicious Korean food for Lunar New Year and wanted Jungmin to bring it to enjoy with me in my own apartment. What a great time! I have had some of the Kims' delicious food before and Thursday was no exception! So tasty! Although Jungmin and I cannot get together as often as we would like, we are able to continue our conversation so easily and naturally. Please pray for Jungmin as he has been accepted at a position at POSCO Energy in Gangnam. POSCO was a leading steel producer in Korea and is now expanding to include a Fuel Cell division. Jungmin is excited about this area of using renewable energy sources to help in countries needing inexpensive energy sources. He has a particular interest in expanding this to North Korea - especially if reunification happens. He wants to be ready to move into North Korea to assist in having electricity that is affordable and won't be a drain on the economy.
In my Seobinggo apartment with Jungmin preparing to eat a very
tasty Korean meal on Lunar New Year Day.
Jungmin putting the finishing touches on the yummy food his mother sent for us to enjoy!
A sample of the tasty food!! There was more + a great
variety of fresh fruits. Sorry, no pictures. :-(
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On Friday I was scheduled to visit Yeongmin at his parents' home for a wonderful dinner, but his parents had a change in their plans which caused them to have to travel to relatives on Friday. However, Yeongmin met on Friday evening and we were finally able to see the movie Unbroken. I had told him about the book, Unbroken, and wanted him to see the movie. After seeing the movie we went to K-Dining Restaurant, a Korean restaurant in Ichon where we enjoyed some excellent conversation and very tasty food. Continue to pray for Yeongmin as he still asks questions about God and Jesus. Pray as he begins a new position at SK Telecom on Monday. He continues to impress his managers with his many gifts.
Yeongmin and GGG at the K-Dining restaurant in Ichon.
A very yummy Braised Fish over boiled radish and a
delicious spicy sauce!
A platter of veggies with acorn jello with a vinegar dressing.
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Saturday was a day of reading, walking in the rain, writing, and cleaning. All greatly enjoyed - even the cleaning. :-) Just want to thank those of you who read my posts and for your encouragement, love, prayers, notes, cards, emails, and support. I hope you enjoy a wonderful week!
Love, Gregg
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